Advise needed for auditions

[anonymoususer4]

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Hi Everyone! I am third year med student (DO) and I am in the process of applying for auditions right now. Just wanted to get a general idea about my application because I wanna know what kind of applicant I am and don't wanna waste time or energy on something that might not happen. I know PMR in general is a very forgiving specialty- the red flags on my app is the retake for both level 1 and step 1 and I have good reasons to explain it. Ofc I am trying to score way above average for level 2 and step 2 come this summer but I have been getting advice like not reporting both the fails and maybe not even taking step 2...
I also have been researching programs in the mid atlantic area and NYU and mount sanai have caught my eye. I've heard if you're able to do your away rotations there then they will give you an interview.
other than the retakes, i think i have a good application overall- I have a lot of leadership experience through starting AOASM at my campus and working with the local Boys and girls club throughout my clinical years. Being on different committees through the school and being a TA and tutor for multiple classes. Research wise i have 2 articles published (none of them are msk or pmr based unfortunately) but am in the process of getting more published before submitting eras this year. Also have multiple poster presentations throughout conferences. Peer reviewed a couple abstracts for those conferences as well.
Volunteer wise, i dont have anything PMR related but should I be aiming for that?
My pre-clinical gpa is 3.52 and so far third year evaluations have been going well as well, mostly high pass and shelf exams have been okay.
just wanted help with deciding what and where to aim for in the mid atlantic area and what more can i do at this point before apps are due in september.
thanks for taking the time to read and engage 🙂

 

[j4pac]

I think the two board failures will filter you out many places. I’d look at auditions at good but less competitive programs, and I’d still have a backup. There are some places that interview everyone that auditions, but an interview doesn’t mean you’ll match at that program.

 

[pitabread]

Wanted to throw my hat in the ring here since I’m in a similar position and wonder if anyone has advice for me!
I am very interested in both PM&R and peds (but not pediatric PM&R; I decided I like them individually better than the combined specialty). I may also be interested in doing a sports med fellowship after either of those residencies.
I’m a California native, current MS3 at an MD school in Texas, and hope to match back in California (perhaps one of the bigger cities/ more competitive programs like UCSF, UCLA, UCSD, stanford, etc.) if possible.
I think my clubs/ involvement/ mentors show good involvement in both peds and PM&R (service, community, leadership, advocacy focuses). I have minimal research experiences; I’m trying to get involved in some projects now, but those will likely culminate in nothing more than a poster, if that.
I had a high pass in my peds clerkship and good evals on all clerkships, but am having to retake the IM and surgery shelf exams (not sure how that will be reported). First time Step 1 pass, unsure of what Step 2 will look like and I’ll likely be taking it fairly late due to not finishing third year clerkships until July.
I’m looking to apply to away programs but don’t know how to go about selecting them, and would like to avoid having to apply to both peds and PM&R aways and residencies alike.

 

[anonymoususer4]

I think the two board failures will filter you out many places. I’d look at auditions at good but less competitive profess, and I’d still have a backup. There are some places that interview everyone that auditions, but an interview doesn’t mean you’ll match at that program.

I am thinking of dual applying to IM as well. But even if I make a come back with my second set of board scores, you think that wont be enough?

 

[JBM16BYU]

I am thinking of dual applying to IM as well. But even if I make a come back with my second set of board scores, you think that wont be enough?

I don’t think the question is whether it is “enough” or not. Many residency programs use filters to wade through the mass amount of residency applications they receive. Some filter by a board score cut-off. Some filter for board score failures (essentially filtering out individuals with those in the record). I know there is a push from many residency programs to be more transparent in the their process but I don’t believe it’s widely available which programs have filtering cut-offs and which don’t. @j4pac correct me please if I’m wrong.

 

[j4pac]

I don’t think the question is whether it is “enough” or not. Many residency programs use filters to wade through the mass amount of residency applications they receive. Some filter by a board score cut-off. Some filter for board score failures (essentially filtering out individuals with those in the record). I know there is a push from many residency programs to be more transparent in the their process but I don’t believe it’s widely available which programs have filtering cut-offs and which don’t. @j4pac correct me please if I’m wrong.

Most programs are doing holistic review…about 60% for all specialties and probably higher in PM&R. It’ll probably depend on the program. Small programs can’t really risk someone either failing step 3 or their PM&R boards. A big program would probably absorb that better.

I think most programs are willing to overlook one board failure as long as the applicant bounces back and is otherwise strong. 2-3 becomes a bit more of a risk. I know that there is a push for transparency but I honestly don’t think many programs have really firm cutoffs, and programs like flexibility to make exceptions.

 

[j4pac]

I am thinking of dual applying to IM as well. But even if I make a come back with my second set of board scores, you think that wont be enough?

You absolutely can still match to PM&R but I’m not confident the probability is higher than 60%. If you love PM&R round out your CV with excellence, but I’d still definitely have a backup.